Chronic oxytocin administration stimulates the oxytocinergic system in children with autism
Abstract Clinical efficacy of intranasal administration of oxytocin is increasingly explored in autism spectrum disorder, but to date, the biological effects of chronic administration regimes on endogenous oxytocinergic function are largely unknown. Here exploratory biological assessments from a com...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Nature Portfolio
2024-01-01
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| Series: | Nature Communications |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-023-44334-4 |
| _version_ | 1797363146911907840 |
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| author | Matthijs Moerkerke Nicky Daniels Laura Tibermont Tiffany Tang Margaux Evenepoel Stephanie Van der Donck Edward Debbaut Jellina Prinsen Viktoria Chubar Stephan Claes Bart Vanaudenaerde Lynn Willems Jean Steyaert Bart Boets Kaat Alaerts |
| author_facet | Matthijs Moerkerke Nicky Daniels Laura Tibermont Tiffany Tang Margaux Evenepoel Stephanie Van der Donck Edward Debbaut Jellina Prinsen Viktoria Chubar Stephan Claes Bart Vanaudenaerde Lynn Willems Jean Steyaert Bart Boets Kaat Alaerts |
| author_sort | Matthijs Moerkerke |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Clinical efficacy of intranasal administration of oxytocin is increasingly explored in autism spectrum disorder, but to date, the biological effects of chronic administration regimes on endogenous oxytocinergic function are largely unknown. Here exploratory biological assessments from a completed randomized, placebo-controlled trial showed that children with autism (n = 79, 16 females) receiving intranasal oxytocin for four weeks (12 IU, twice daily) displayed significantly higher salivary oxytocin levels 24 hours after the last oxytocin nasal spray administration, but no longer at a four-week follow up session. Regarding salivary oxytocin receptor gene (OXTR) epigenetics (DNA-methylation), oxytocin-induced reductions in OXTR DNA-methylation were observed, suggesting a facilitation of oxytocin receptor expression in the oxytocin compared to the placebo group. Notably, heightened oxytocin levels post-treatment were significantly associated with reduced OXTR DNA-methylation and improved feelings of secure attachment. These findings indicate that four weeks of chronic oxytocin administration stimulated the endogenous oxytocinergic system in children with autism. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-08T16:16:20Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-6daf39d2c5ba43bbbabdcb1d85742037 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2041-1723 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-08T16:16:20Z |
| publishDate | 2024-01-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Nature Communications |
| spelling | doaj.art-6daf39d2c5ba43bbbabdcb1d857420372024-01-07T12:33:28ZengNature PortfolioNature Communications2041-17232024-01-0115111010.1038/s41467-023-44334-4Chronic oxytocin administration stimulates the oxytocinergic system in children with autismMatthijs Moerkerke0Nicky Daniels1Laura Tibermont2Tiffany Tang3Margaux Evenepoel4Stephanie Van der Donck5Edward Debbaut6Jellina Prinsen7Viktoria Chubar8Stephan Claes9Bart Vanaudenaerde10Lynn Willems11Jean Steyaert12Bart Boets13Kaat Alaerts14Center for Developmental Psychiatry, Department of Neurosciences, KU LeuvenLeuven Autism Research (LAuRes), KU LeuvenCenter for Developmental Psychiatry, Department of Neurosciences, KU LeuvenCenter for Developmental Psychiatry, Department of Neurosciences, KU LeuvenLeuven Autism Research (LAuRes), KU LeuvenCenter for Developmental Psychiatry, Department of Neurosciences, KU LeuvenCenter for Developmental Psychiatry, Department of Neurosciences, KU LeuvenLeuven Autism Research (LAuRes), KU LeuvenUniversity Psychiatric Centre, KU LeuvenUniversity Psychiatric Centre, KU LeuvenLaboratory of Respiratory Diseases and Thoracic Surgery, Department of Chronic Illness and Metabolism, KU LeuvenLaboratory of Respiratory Diseases and Thoracic Surgery, Department of Chronic Illness and Metabolism, KU LeuvenCenter for Developmental Psychiatry, Department of Neurosciences, KU LeuvenCenter for Developmental Psychiatry, Department of Neurosciences, KU LeuvenLeuven Autism Research (LAuRes), KU LeuvenAbstract Clinical efficacy of intranasal administration of oxytocin is increasingly explored in autism spectrum disorder, but to date, the biological effects of chronic administration regimes on endogenous oxytocinergic function are largely unknown. Here exploratory biological assessments from a completed randomized, placebo-controlled trial showed that children with autism (n = 79, 16 females) receiving intranasal oxytocin for four weeks (12 IU, twice daily) displayed significantly higher salivary oxytocin levels 24 hours after the last oxytocin nasal spray administration, but no longer at a four-week follow up session. Regarding salivary oxytocin receptor gene (OXTR) epigenetics (DNA-methylation), oxytocin-induced reductions in OXTR DNA-methylation were observed, suggesting a facilitation of oxytocin receptor expression in the oxytocin compared to the placebo group. Notably, heightened oxytocin levels post-treatment were significantly associated with reduced OXTR DNA-methylation and improved feelings of secure attachment. These findings indicate that four weeks of chronic oxytocin administration stimulated the endogenous oxytocinergic system in children with autism.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-023-44334-4 |
| spellingShingle | Matthijs Moerkerke Nicky Daniels Laura Tibermont Tiffany Tang Margaux Evenepoel Stephanie Van der Donck Edward Debbaut Jellina Prinsen Viktoria Chubar Stephan Claes Bart Vanaudenaerde Lynn Willems Jean Steyaert Bart Boets Kaat Alaerts Chronic oxytocin administration stimulates the oxytocinergic system in children with autism Nature Communications |
| title | Chronic oxytocin administration stimulates the oxytocinergic system in children with autism |
| title_full | Chronic oxytocin administration stimulates the oxytocinergic system in children with autism |
| title_fullStr | Chronic oxytocin administration stimulates the oxytocinergic system in children with autism |
| title_full_unstemmed | Chronic oxytocin administration stimulates the oxytocinergic system in children with autism |
| title_short | Chronic oxytocin administration stimulates the oxytocinergic system in children with autism |
| title_sort | chronic oxytocin administration stimulates the oxytocinergic system in children with autism |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-023-44334-4 |
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